EPA system MO6024530 · Missouri
St Charles County Pwsd 2: Lithium at or above EPA's 10 ppb health reference level
highest single sample; sampled April 2024–January 2025. Source: EPA UCMR 5 final release, August 2026.
St Charles County Pwsd 2 is a local-government-owned community water system in Missouri serving about 100,587 people, matched to 10 ZIP codes.
MCL 4.0 ppt · not detected above the reporting level
MCL 4.0 ppt · not detected above the reporting level
health reference level 10 ppb · at or above the health reference level
What EPA says about what was found
- Lithium EPA's health reference level is derived from a 2008 provisional toxicity value based on effects seen at therapeutic lithium doses; EPA notes the assessment is provisional. EPA source
- PFBA EPA's 2022 IRIS assessment for PFBA cites thyroid, liver and developmental effects in animal studies. EPA source
Quoted from EPA assessments. This site adds no health claims of its own.
PFAS and lithium: what EPA's national survey found
EPA tested this water for 30 substances and found 2. Lithium reached 47.5 ppb; EPA's health reference level, which is guidance and not a limit, is 10 ppb.
Between April 2024 and January 2025, EPA's UCMR 5 program tested 270 samples from 4 sampling locations for 30 contaminants (29 PFAS plus lithium). 2 were detected above the reporting level in at least one sample. Lithium reached 47.5 ppb in a single sample, at or above the health reference level of 10 ppb, which is non-regulatory.
Show the 28 contaminants not detected above the reporting level
Full table: samples, detections, highest single sample, complete-set average and sampling dates for all 30 contaminants
| Contaminant | Samples | Detections | Highest single sample | Complete-set average (results used) | EPA reference | Status | Sampled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium | 9 | 9 | 47.5 ppb | 28.9 ppb (4 of 4) | 10 ppb health reference level · compared on the highest sample | at or above the health reference level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFBA | 9 | 2 | 6.5 ppt | 3.3 ppt (2 of 2) | 6,000 ppt screening level · compared on the highest sample | below the screening level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 9 | 0 | < 5.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| 4:2 FTS | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| 6:2 FTS | 9 | 0 | < 5.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| 8:2 FTS | 9 | 0 | < 5.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 9 | 0 | < 2.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| ADONA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 9 | 0 | < 5.0 ppt | — | 10.0 ppt MCL (rescission proposed) · compared on the complete-set average | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| NEtFOSAA | 9 | 0 | < 5.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| NFDHA | 9 | 0 | < 20.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| NMeFOSAA | 9 | 0 | < 6.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFBS | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | 2,000 ppt health-based water concentration · compared on the highest sample | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFDA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFDoA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFEESA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFHpA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFHpS | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFHxA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | 3,000 ppt screening level · compared on the highest sample | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFHxS | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | 10.0 ppt MCL (rescission proposed) · compared on the complete-set average | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFMBA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFMPA | 9 | 0 | < 4.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFNA | 9 | 0 | < 4.0 ppt | — | 10.0 ppt MCL (rescission proposed) · compared on the complete-set average | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFOA | 9 | 0 | < 4.0 ppt | — | 4.0 ppt MCL · compared on the complete-set average | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFOS | 9 | 0 | < 4.0 ppt | — | 4.0 ppt MCL · compared on the complete-set average | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFPeA | 9 | 0 | < 3.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFPeS | 9 | 0 | < 4.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFTA | 9 | 0 | < 8.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFTrDA | 9 | 0 | < 7.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
| PFUnA | 9 | 0 | < 2.0 ppt | — | none set | not detected above the reporting level | April 2024 – January 2025 |
Sampling-point average: mean of a location's two (ground water) or four (surface water) UCMR 5 results with non-detects counted as zero, EPA's method for comparing UCMR 5 data to the PFAS MCLs. EPA rounds to the reference value's significant digits before deciding whether an average is "greater than" an MCL (PFOA/PFOS averages count as above 4.0 ng/L only from 4.05 ng/L; lithium results count as above the 10 ppb reference only from 15 ppb). This site does not apply that rounding: "at or above" here means the measured value is numerically at or above the reference.
Every detection by sampling location (11 results)
| Date | Sampling location | Source water | Contaminant | Result | Reporting level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2024 | CC 2 ST LOUIS CITY-HOWARD BEND MO6010715 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | surface water | PFBA | 5.2 ppt | 5.0 ppt |
| Apr 9, 2024 | CC 2 ST LOUIS CITY-HOWARD BEND MO6010715 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | surface water | Lithium | 17.6 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Apr 9, 2024 | W5 HWY N & Z St Charles County Pwsd 2 | ground water | Lithium | 28.6 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Apr 9, 2024 | TRTMT PLT-BOUGHT FROM MO6079507 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | ground water | PFBA | 6.5 ppt | 5.0 ppt |
| Apr 9, 2024 | TRTMT PLT-BOUGHT FROM MO6079507 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | ground water | Lithium | 27.5 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Jun 25, 2024 | CC 2 ST LOUIS CITY-HOWARD BEND MO6010715 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | surface water | Lithium | 19.1 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Oct 8, 2024 | W5 HWY N & Z St Charles County Pwsd 2 | ground water | Lithium | 28.7 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Oct 8, 2024 | W6 LAURA HILLS St Charles County Pwsd 2 | ground water | Lithium | 29.5 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Oct 10, 2024 | CC 2 ST LOUIS CITY-HOWARD BEND MO6010715 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | surface water | Lithium | 47.5 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Oct 10, 2024 | TRTMT PLT-BOUGHT FROM MO6079507 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | ground water | Lithium | 25.6 ppb | 9 ppb |
| Jan 2, 2025 | CC 2 ST LOUIS CITY-HOWARD BEND MO6010715 St Charles County Pwsd 2 | surface water | Lithium | 31.2 ppb | 9 ppb |
Utility-reported context (UCMR 5 questionnaire, aggregated across sampling events): PFAS previously found at this system: no at 10 of 10 sampling events.
Lead at customer taps
In the latest completed monitoring period, ending Dec 31, 2025, 9 in 10 sampled homes had lead at or below 0 ppb, below the 15 ppb action level that triggers utility action. None of the 15 periods on record reached it.
In the most recent completed lead monitoring period, ending Dec 31, 2025, the 90th-percentile lead result at customer taps was 0 ppb, below the action level of 15 ppb (15 monitoring periods on record, none at the action level). The 90th percentile is the value that 9 in 10 sampled homes were at or below. Values are in parts per billion (ppb).
| Monitoring period | Metal | 90th percentile | Action level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2025 | Lead | 0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2022 | Lead | 1.1 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2019 | Lead | 1.3 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2016 | Lead | 1.0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2013 | Lead | 1.4 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2010 | Lead | 2.8 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2005 – Dec 31, 2007 | Lead | 2.0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2004 – Dec 31, 2004 | Lead | 2.1 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2001 – Dec 31, 2001 | Lead | 13 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 1996 – Dec 31, 1998 | Lead | 6.2 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 1995 – Dec 31, 1995 | Lead | 6 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jul 1, 1994 – Jun 30, 1995 | Lead | 9 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
Show all 15 monitoring periods on record
| Monitoring period | Metal | 90th percentile | Action level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2025 | Lead | 0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2022 | Lead | 1.1 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2019 | Lead | 1.3 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2016 | Lead | 1.0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2013 | Lead | 1.4 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2010 | Lead | 2.8 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2005 – Dec 31, 2007 | Lead | 2.0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2004 – Dec 31, 2004 | Lead | 2.1 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 2001 – Dec 31, 2001 | Lead | 13 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 1996 – Dec 31, 1998 | Lead | 6.2 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 1995 – Dec 31, 1995 | Lead | 6 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jul 1, 1994 – Jun 30, 1995 | Lead | 9 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jul 1, 1993 – Jun 30, 1994 | Lead | 4.5 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jan 1, 1993 – Jun 30, 1993 | Lead | 0 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
| Jul 1, 1992 – Dec 31, 1992 | Lead | 9 ppb | 15 ppb | below the action level |
Drinking water violations since Sep 3, 2016
EPA lists 2 violations since Sep 3, 2016. None is health-based. All concern missed monitoring, reporting or public notices, not the water itself.
EPA's SDWIS database lists 2 violations recorded since Sep 3, 2016: 2 for monitoring or reporting, none health-based.
| Compliance period | Type | Contaminant / rule | Description | Records | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025 | MR | Groundwater Rule | Monitoring of Treatment (SWTR-Unfilt/GWR) | 1 record | Resolved · 4 enforcement actions |
| Jun 1, 2021 – Jun 30, 2021 | MON | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring, Routine (RTCR) | 1 record | Resolved · 4 enforcement actions |
Sanitary surveys and site visits
Most recent state inspection: Aug 14, 2023 (sanitary survey); 1 visit since Sep 3, 2021.
What you can do about these results
Filters certified to reduce PFOA and PFOS
EPA testing found 1 PFAS above reporting levels in this utility's water.
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 (activated carbon) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) certification that names PFOA/PFOS reduction.
Lithium: what reduces it
Lithium reached 47.5 ppb in a single sample, at or above EPA's non-regulatory 10 ppb health reference level.
No NSF/ANSI certification claim exists for lithium. Reverse osmosis systems reduce dissolved minerals generally; we do not recommend a specific product for lithium.
ZIP codes served
Sources
Data vintage: EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, samples collected 2023-01-03 – 2026-06-17, final release, August 2026 (file dated Aug 28, 2026); EPA SDWIS via ECHO, 2026Q2 extract (file dated Jul 9, 2026); EPA service-area boundaries v3.0; Census 2020 ZCTAs. Page generated 2026-09-03.
- EPA ECHO detailed facility report
- EPA UCMR 5 Data Finder
- EPA service-area boundary: modeled, 260.6 sq mi
